Senior Center Activities

Getting older does not mean that quality of life has to change. A number of senior living facilities keep their residents healthy, happy and entertained by scheduling senior center activities that are specifically designed, not only with the common interests of seniors in mind, but also with their capabilities in mind. Below are just a few ways that senior centers are mixing things up.

Games

Nursing homes have stocked a wide range of games for decades. In the past, board games were a senior center staple for slow or rainy days. Now, centers are getting a little more creative with their gaming activities. For example, the popular Nintendo Wii console has made its way into a number of senior centers. Even Nintendo has actively advertised to the demographic.

Exercise

Studies have consistently shown that staying fit not only lengthens your life but also improves it regardless of how old you already are. Most proven senior exercise programs combine low-impact exercises, like aerobics and walking, to improve endurance without stressing senior bodies. More innovative activity schedules work in sports, like bowling.

Outdoor activities

Living in a senior center no longer means giving up all the outdoor activities that seniors loved in their earlier years. A number of centers now schedule blocks of time for gardening around the center, while others arrange more elaborate outings for swimming, canoeing and fishing.

Excursions

There was a time when moving into a senior home meant saying goodbye to the outside world, but these days, senior centers recognize the importance of keeping their residents connected. As a result, senior centers are increasingly arranging outings to many places, from the supermarket and hobby shop to the movies or a local farm.

As seniors continue to live longer, more fulfilling lives, the facilities that host them are also adjusting the way that they perceive their residents. Senior center activities are really heating up with everything from video games to day trips on the schedule.

Getting older does not mean that quality of life has to change

by Bane Briller, Property & Real Estate writer